As I observe some of you teach, I see several clever uses of technology. How do you see information technology influencing your teaching? Have you used technology to engage, inform, or increase students research or critical thinking skills? How does it help? How does it hinder? Describe some ways that you have incorporated tech into your teaching, and how you see yourself using these tools when you have your own classroom.
While I was at my high school placement, it was very easy to incorporate technology use into every lesson. The new science wing at Westerly came with an Elmo document camera and an Eno interactive white board. I used the Eno board everyday to give notes and do inquiry activities on powerpoint or show online videos about the topic we were learning about. I used the document camera mostly to show students' work and model how to answer questions or solve problems. I found that especially with the new tools, students were very engaged in lessons that incorporated technology. They were excited to draw Punnett squares or other diagrams and use the special pen that goes with the board. I think students were definitely more willing to share their work and participate actively in class when the technology was being used. When giving notes through powerpoint, its much easier to involve students in the process by having them think critically to analyze pictures or data that can be imbedded into the powerpoint.
I found that technology can be a hindrance when it does not work properly or takes up class time to get set up. Since the technology we were working with was brand new, there were a few bugs to be worked out in the beginning. It also takes a training session and practice to get acquainted with the interactive board and how it works. However, I feel like overall the benefits of using technology in the classroom outweigh the downfalls. I will definitely make it a priority in my own classroom to use any piece of technology that is available to me.
While I was at my high school placement, it was very easy to incorporate technology use into every lesson. The new science wing at Westerly came with an Elmo document camera and an Eno interactive white board. I used the Eno board everyday to give notes and do inquiry activities on powerpoint or show online videos about the topic we were learning about. I used the document camera mostly to show students' work and model how to answer questions or solve problems. I found that especially with the new tools, students were very engaged in lessons that incorporated technology. They were excited to draw Punnett squares or other diagrams and use the special pen that goes with the board. I think students were definitely more willing to share their work and participate actively in class when the technology was being used. When giving notes through powerpoint, its much easier to involve students in the process by having them think critically to analyze pictures or data that can be imbedded into the powerpoint.
I found that technology can be a hindrance when it does not work properly or takes up class time to get set up. Since the technology we were working with was brand new, there were a few bugs to be worked out in the beginning. It also takes a training session and practice to get acquainted with the interactive board and how it works. However, I feel like overall the benefits of using technology in the classroom outweigh the downfalls. I will definitely make it a priority in my own classroom to use any piece of technology that is available to me.